P Plate Piano develops young musicians

P Plate Piano is a series of three colourful books that take the beginner pianist from their first tutor to AMEB preliminary piano level.  The program introduces a range of musical styles and techniques essential for developing young pianists into musicians.

P Plate Piano is all about performance.  Renowned music educator Elissa Milne has selected pieces that encourage students to investigate, experiment and explore the full range of the piano.  They play the high notes, low notes, white notes and black notes - they even learn to use the pedal.

There is scope for creativity and improvisation, and each piece has bright illustrations and fun activities to immediately engage students with the music.

Optional assessments encourage performance

Optional, non-graded assessments are available to introduce the assessment experience to students on completion of each book.

Students select three pieces from the book to perform as a soloist or in a duet for an AMEB examiner.  Parents and teachers are encouraged to support the student by being present at the performance.

Assessments are six minutes long and include a chat about the performance initiated by the examiner.

Certificates and a licence recognise achievement

At the end of the assessment the AMEB examiner presents a certificate to the student in recognition of their achievement.

An assessment report that encourages musical development will be mailed to the teacher by the AMEB.

On completion of Book 3, the student will also receive a credit card style P Plate Piano licence.

Assessment and enrolment

Two modes of assessment are available.

Individual assessment

This mode follows the usual AMEB assessment format where students present individually to an examiner.  The difference for P Plate Piano is that parents and teachers are encouraged to support students by being present in the examination room.

Concert assessment

Students present as part of a concert with an audience that includes parents, other candidates, the teacher and the examiner.  Concerts range from 30 minutes to one hour with five to ten students assessed.

Enrolment

Enrol for P Plate Piano assessments using the standard AMEB examinations enrolment form available from the AMEB Queensland website.

Assessments in regional centres are offered in conjunction with other AMEB examination sessions.